UNDP, Consultant: Evaluation, Disaster Risk Management Project, Deadline January 22, 2010.

Terms of Reference

           

Position Title: Consultant: Evaluation, Disaster Risk Management Project

Mission Duration: Three weeks (15 working days)

Contract type: SSA

Expected starting date: Late January or early February 2010

Duty Station: Dili, Timor-Leste (with travel to districts, Bobonaro and Lautem)

Organisation: Crisis Prevention and Recovery (CPR) Unit, UNDP

1.      BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Timor-Leste is prone to a number of hazards due to its geographical location, topography and recent history of conflict. Accordingly, the Council of Ministers highlighted the pressing need for developing and strengthening institutional and standard operational systems that link sub-national and central government institutions, vulnerable communities and civil society organizations, and support the operational implementation of the National Policy on Disaster Risk Management and decentralization of services (National Disaster Risk Management Policy, March 2008).

UNDP, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Directorate (NDMD) under the Ministry of Social Solidarity, is implementing a one-year project entitled “Disaster Risk Management Institutional and Operational Systems Development”, co-funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO). The project supports the implementation of the National Policy through capacity development of the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) and establishing District Disaster Operations Centres (DDOCs) in Bobonaro and Lautem districts. The project also intends to facilitate the flow of information from the centre to the district level, and to raise awareness of disaster risk and support preparedness of communities, as well as partners including Chefes de Sucos, District Administrations, line ministries, civil society and media.

2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE FINAL EVALUATION

The overall objective of this Final Evaluation is to review progress towards the project’s objectives and results, assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of implementation, identify strengths and weaknesses in project design and implementation, and provide recommendations on design modifications and specific actions that would increase the effectiveness and impact of future similar initiatives. In pursuit of the overall objectives, the following key issues will be addressed during the Final Evaluation of the project:

• Assess the extent to which the project achieved its overall objectives;
• Assess the extent to which the outputs/results were achieved;
• Assess the extent to which the project contributed to the relevant outputs of the UNDP Country Programme Action Plan;
• Describe the management processes and appropriateness;
• Review the implementation of the project monitoring and evaluation framework and processes;
• Review the risk assessment and management of the project;
• Describe and assess networks and partnerships in support of the implementation of the project;
• Assess the likelihood of continuation and sustainability of project outcomes and benefits after completion of the project;
• Describe key factors that will require attention in order to improve prospects for sustainability of project outcomes and the potential for replication of the approach;
• Describe the main lessons that have emerged; and
• Provide a set of recommendations for future cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry of Social Solidarity in the area of DRM, including project design and arrangements.

3. EXPECTED OUTPUTS

1.   Executive summary and preliminary report: The consultant will present a summary of evaluation conclusions and preliminary recommendations at a debriefing meeting with relevant stakeholders. This meeting will be organised by the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit to share the preliminary recommendations and receive feedback from the national government counterpart.

2.      Evaluation Report: The consultant will submit an evaluation report on the project highlighting: achievements, constraints, lessons learned and recommendations for ensuring sustainability of project outcomes and for future cooperation.

The final report incorporating stakeholders’ comments shall be submitted by the consultant no later than one week after the end of the in-country mission. The consultants should follow the ‘table of contents’ laid out below detailing the minimum reporting requirements for the final report.

Evaluation Report Format:

The Evaluation Report should contain the following:

§         Title Page

§         List of acronyms and abbreviations

§         Table of contents, including list of annexes

§         Executive summary

§         Introduction – Background and context of the programme

§         Description of the programme – Its logic theory, results framework and external factors likely to affect success

§         Purpose of the evaluation

§         Methodology of the evaluation

§         Findings

§         Lessons learnt

§         Recommendations

§         Conclusions

§         Annexes

4. METHODOLOGY FOR EVALUATION APPROACH

The Final Evaluation will be done through a combination of processes including a desk study, selected site visits and interviews involving stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The methodology for the evaluation is envisaged to cover the following areas:

·         Desk review of all relevant project documentation;

·         Consultations with NDMD and relevant partners;

·         Discussions with the Senior Management of UNDP and staff of the CPR Unit;

·         Discussions with district officials involved with DDMCs/DDOCs, held during field visits to the two pilot districts, Bobonaro and Lautem;

·         Consultation meetings and interviews with beneficiaries.

5. TIME FRAME AND QUALIFICATIONS

The evaluation will take place in January/ February 2010 and will be for a term of three weeks (15 working days).

Qualifications of Evaluation Consultant:

·         Master’s degree in political science, international relations, development, monitoring and evaluation or any other relevant discipline;

·         Relevant background and experience in evaluation. Familiarity with UNDP mechanisms and procedures is an asset;

·         Minimum three years of overseas experience in the areas of development assistance, preferably in a post-conflict / development context in monitoring and/or evaluation;

·         Previous experience in implementing or evaluating CPR programmes in a post-conflict context, especially DRM;

·         Knowledge of and experience with M&E mechanisms;

·         Excellent written and spoken English;

·         Ability to communicate in at least one of the following languages is an asset: Portuguese, Tetum, Bahasa Indonesia;

·         Initiative, ability to work independently, sound judgment and excellent interpersonal skills; and

·         Experience and knowledge of the socio-political context of Timor-Leste would be an asset.

6. REPORTING AND MISSION SUPPORT

Working closely with the DRM Project Manager and CPR Programme Officer, the Evaluation Consultant will report to UNDP Senior Management through the Assistant Resident Representative/ Head of Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit.

The CPR unit, together with the project’s team, will provide support as requested. Transport for official purposes will be provided by UNDP, which will also make a translator / interpreter available to the mission if necessary.

How to apply:

Please submit your applications letter together with: Curriculum vitae, financial proposal; P11 forms on line by accessing this link: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=14345

*Financial proposal (doesn’t include the cost of airfare)

The deadline for submitting applications is 22 January 2010

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.